Scholarship Opportunities

This list is intended to be a resource in the search for scholarship opportunities to help subsidize your graduate education. It is not exhaustive, meaning there are many more scholarships out there but you have to do the research to find those you are eligible for. If you would like additional information regarding graduate financial aid at Loyola, please see the Graduate Financial Aid Handbook.

Loyola School of Social Work Scholarships

Merit-Based Scholarships

SSW Merit-Based Scholarships are awarded to incoming MSW admits who demonstrate academic success, community engagement, and promise in the social work profession.

Eligibility

Admits who applied for admissions to the MSW program by the priority deadline for scholarship consideration.

Dates are as follows:

March 1st for Summer & Fall Admission

October 1st for Spring Admission

Apply

MSW admits who apply by the priority deadline are automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship. Those who apply after the priority deadline may also be considered if funding is still available. The strength of all application materials (i.e. personal statement, transcripts, resume, letters of recommendation) are considered when awarding merit-based scholarships.

For more information, please contact the school’s Admissions Coordinator, Casey Hendricks at chendricks2@luc.edu.

Lester Czernik Scholarship

The Lester Czernik Scholarship is awarded at the start of each academic year to one to two incoming MSW students who demonstrate financial need and promise to the social work profession.

Eligibility

Summer or Fall MSW admits who demonstrate financial need as determined by the financial information submitted when applying for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Preference is given to applicants who are graduates of a Chicago Public High School; are first-generation college students; or speak English as a second language.

Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, specialize in Health, Mental Health, or Children and Families, be willing to take required classes associated with the PACES program, complete field placements at an agency located in a Medically Underserved Community (UMC), and have a commitment to pursuing post-MSW employment at mental and behavioral health site in a medically underserved community.

*An individual with a disadvantaged background is defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as follows: an individual from a disadvantaged background is defined as one who comes from an environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from a health professions school, or from a program providing education or training in an allied health profession; or comes from a family with an annual income below a level based on low income thresholds according to family size published by the U.S. Bureau of Census, adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index, and adjusted by the Secretary, HHS, for use in health professions and nursing programs.

5 Year BSW/MSW Merit Scholarships

Merit Scholarship for 5 Year BSW/MSW Students are awarded to a selected number of 5 year BSW/MSW students who demonstrate academic success, community engagement, and promise in the social work profession.

Eligibility

Only 5 Year BSW/MSW Loyola Students who have received provisional matriculation into the school’s MSW program by the BSW Program Director are eligible to apply.

For more information, please contact the school’s Admissions Coordinator, Casey Hendricks at chendricks2@luc.edu.

External Scholarships

Scholarship

The Carl A. Scott Memorial Fund was developed to continue the legacy of equity and social justice in social work through building knowledge and furthering the wellbeing of individuals and their communities. The Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to work for equity and social justice in social work.

Eligibility

Applicants must be in the last year of study for a social work degree in either a bachelors or master’s degree program. Applicant must be African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, or Native Hawaiian. Students must be enrolled full time and have at least a 3.0 GPA.

The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship is awarded to MSW students who have demonstrated a commitment to working with American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations, or who have demonstrated a commitment to working with public or voluntary nonprofit agencies/local grassroots groups in the United States.

Eligibility

Applicants must be an NASW member and must have applied to or accepted into an MSW program. Additionally, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Apply

To apply, please visit the Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship website; a complete application includes an application form, biographical essay, statement of merit and financial need for the award, two letters of support from professional references, and a copy of an official transcript. Applications for the 2017-2018 awards will begin in January 2017. For additional information, please contact the NASW Scholarships & Awards Hotline at naswfoundation@naswdc.org.

Scholarship

The Verne LaMarr Lyons Scholarship is awarded to MSW students who have demonstrated an interest or who have experience with health/mental health practice and have a commitment to working in African American communities.

Eligibility

Applicants must be an NASW member and must have applied to or accepted into an accredited MSW program. Additionally, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Apply

To apply, please visit the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship website; a complete application includes an application form, biographical essay, two letters of support from professional references, and a copy of an official transcript. Applications for the 2017-2018 awards will begin in January 2017. For additional information, please contact the NASW Scholarships & Awards Hotline at naswfoundation@naswdc.org.

Scholarship

The Osman Award, sponsored by the American Clinical Social Work Association (ACSWA), is awarded to first-year students in social work master’s programs based on the judging of a paper that recounts the process of a clinical intervention.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a student member of the ACSWA and first-year students in an MSW program.

Apply

To apply, please visit the ACSWA Graduate Student Scholarship website; a complete application includes a paper recounting the process of a complex field-placement intervention, and sponsorship letters from the field placement faculty coordinator and field setting supervisor. Applications are due by May 27, 2017; early submissions are encouraged.

Scholarship

The Judith Holm Memorial Students Award, sponsored by the American Clinical Social Work Association (ACSWA), is awarded to second-year students in social work master’s programs based on the judging of a paper that recounts the process of a clinical intervention and demonstrates readiness to enter professional practice.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a student member of the ACSWA and second-year students in an MSW program.

Apply

To apply, please visit the ACSWA Graduate Student Scholarship website; a complete application includes a paper recounting the process of a complex field-placement intervention while demonstrating familiarity with relevant theories and current clinical literature, and sponsorship letters from the field placement faculty coordinator and field setting supervisor. Applications are due by May 27, 2017; early submissions are encouraged.

Scholarship

The Minority Fellowship Program, sponsored by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), is designed to enhance the training of direct-practice-focused social work students in their final year of study.

Eligibility

Applicant must be in their second year of study at a CSWE-accredited institution, and must identify mental health service delivery to at-risk children, adolescents, and/or transition-age youths as the focus of their specialization.

Apply

To apply, please visit the Minority Fellowship Program website; applications for the 2017-2018 awards will open in spring 2017.

The Charles David Hughes Graduate Scholarship, sponsored by the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA), awards students who are to pursuing a graduate degree in a public-service-related studies program at an accredited college or university.

Eligibility

Applicants must be income-eligible residents of suburban Cook County who demonstrate academic achievement, career potential, and educational motivation.

Apply

To apply, please visit the CEDA Community Engagement website. Applications for the 2017-2018 awards will open in early 2017 and are due June 10, 2017. For additional information, please contact webmaster@cedaorg.net.

Scholarship

Point Foundation (Point) is the nation’s largest higher education scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students. The Point Scholarship Fund empowers promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential; Point’s multifaceted support of its scholarship recipients extends far beyond direct financial contribution. Each scholar is paired with a mentor and participates in leadership development programs and events.

Eligibility

Applicants must be an LGBTQ student enrolled or intending to enroll at an accredited college or university; must be enrolled full-time, indicate a track record of leadership and community involvement, strong academic achievement, and working for the betterment of the LGBTQ community.

Apply

To apply, please visit the Point Foundation Scholarship website; applications for the 2017-2018 scholarship will be available on November 1, 2016 and are due January 30, 2017. For additional information, please contact applications@pointfoundation.org.

Scholarship

The Roy Scrivner Memorial Research Grants provide graduate student grants for empirical or applied research that encourages the study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) family psychology and LGBT family therapy.

Eligibility

Applicant must be an advanced graduate student, in good standing, endorsed by his/her supervising professor; must have demonstrated commitment to LGBT family issues; IRB approval must be received before funding can be awarded if human participants are involved in research.

Apply

To apply, please visit the Roy Scrivner Memorial Research Grant application website. Applications are due November 1, 2016. For additional information, please contact Program Officer, Samantha Edington, at sedington@apa.org.

Scholarship

Knapp & Roberts Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship provided to graduate students who have a sibling with autism.

Eligibility

Applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student; have a sibling with a diagnosis of autism; and submit a 500+ word essay. Deadline is April 30, 2017.

The Marianjoy Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students with disabilities to help them further their education, pursue opportunities for growth, explore new possibilities, and achieve their dreams.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a permanent physical disability or functional impairment and be a permanent resident in: Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, or Will County. Students are selected on the basis of academic record, educational and career goals, financial need, and leadership roles and participation in school or the community.

Apply

To apply, please visit the Marianjoy Scholarship Program website; a complete application includes submission of application on website, personal statement, financial statement, official transcripts, and two or more letters of recommendation. Applications for the 2017-2018 awards will be available January 2017. For additional information, please contact Jim Decker at jdecker@marianjoy.org.

Scholarship

The REACh Scholarship Program provides assistance to adult learners who are returning to college. These $2000 scholarships may be used toward the cost of attendance as determined by the financial aid department.

Eligibility

Applicants must be adult learners returning to college living in the Chicagoland area.

Apply

To apply, please visit the REACh Scholarship website; applications for the 2017-2018 REACh Scholarship Program will open in January 2017.

Scholarship

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc. (CHCI) provides scholarship opportunities for Latino Students in the U.S. who have a history of performing public service-oriented activities in their communities.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program within the U.S or Puerto Rico; demonstrate financial need; be a U.S. citizen; and have active participation in community service.

The Korean American Scholarship provides scholarships to Korean American students engaged in community and civic service.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a full time student in one of the designated Midwestern region states; have a Korean heritage studying in the U.S (including international students from Korea); obtain a GPA of 3.0 or higher; and demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

Apply

To apply, please visit the Korean American Scholarship website; a complete application includes submission of the online application, letters of recommendation, an essay, listing of extracurricular activities, and a personal financial statement. Applications for the 2017-2018 awards will be available April 1, 2017 with a submission deadline of July 8, 2017.

Scholarship

The American Association of University Women’s Career Development Grants are provided to women who seek to obtain a master’s degree, certification, or specialized training in technical or professional fields.

Eligibility

Applicants must be women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose last degree was received before June 30, 2012.

Apply

To apply, please visit the American Association of University Women’s Career Development Grants website; applications for the 2018-2019 awards are due December 15, 2017. For additional information, please contact aauw@applyists.com.

Scholarship

The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship, sponsored by the NAACP, is awarded to outstanding students in an accredited college or university who demonstrate financial need.

Eligibility

Applicants must be an NAACP member; must be U.S. citizens; must not have reached the age of 25 by the application deadline; must possess a GPA of 3.0 or better; and must demonstrate financial need based on income eligibility guidelines.

Apply

To apply, please visit the Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship website; applications for the 2017-2018 awards will be available in early spring 2017.

Postgraduate Scholarships

Scholarship

The Loan Repayment Program, sponsored by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), is federal program for Licensed Clinical Social Workers with a commitment to working in an underserved area. Participants can earn up to $50,000 to repay student loans.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens; be fully trained and licensed to practice; and have unpaid student loans to be considered. Applicants may apply when given a job at an NHSC-approved site.

Apply

To apply, please visit the NHSC Loan Repayment website; the 2017-2018 program application will open in winter 2017. For additional information, please call (800) 221-9393.

Scholarship

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Loan Repayment Programs are a set of programs designed to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals and social workers who possess a doctoral-level degree and are pursuing research.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen; hold a PH.D; have loan debt; and agree to complete research for a non-profit organization or government entity.

The New York State Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness (LSWLF) Program is a state program offered to licensed social workers in New York to work in critical human services. Social Workers are able to be in the program for four years of qualified service. Award amounts are approximately $6,500 a year.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a legal resident of New York State for one year; have U.S. citizenship, work as a licensed social worker in New York; have one year of qualified service; and have student loan debt.

Apply

To apply, please visit the New York State LSWLF website; applications for the 2017-2018 awards will be available in January 2017. For additional information, please contact scholarships@hesc.ny.gov.

Scholarship

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program offers loan forgiveness for social workers who work in qualifying public service (not-for-profit and government organizations at any level). Loans are forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made.

Eligibility

Applicants must be working full time at a public service and make qualifying payments under the Direct Loan Program to be eligible.

Apply

To apply, please visit the PSLF website; a complete application includes submission of an Employment Certification form.

Scholarship

The Peace Corps is a service opportunity for volunteers to immerse themselves in a community abroad by helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained volunteers, to help promote a better understanding of Americans, and to help promote a better understanding of other peoples. The Peace Corps offers a fellows program that offers financial assistance to returned Peace Corps volunteers.

Eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years or older and be a U.S. citizen to apply.

Apply

To apply, please visit the Peace Corps website; the application for the 2017 fellows program is due May 1, 2017. For additional information on the fellows program, please contact universityprograms@peacecorps.gov.

Scholarship

AmeriCorps/ AmeriCorps VISTA are 12-month programs for volunteers who want to serve and strengthen communities within the U.S. AmeriCorps members are eligible for a Segal AmeriCorps Education Fellowship upon successful completion of the program.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen; age 17 or older; and have a high school diploma or its equivalent. To be eligible for the Segal Fellowship, applicants must have successfully completed a full-time term of service in AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps VISTA.

Apply

To apply, please visit the AmeriCorps website; applications for the 2017-2018 awards will be available in early 2017 and are due May 18, 2017. For additional information, please contact elisegalfellowship@cns.gov.